‘Disgusting’ attitude towards disability

FRIENDS of a disabled man, reliant on a motorised scooter, were left ‘sickened’ after a security guard working during Worthing Birdman told them they would have to carry their friend up the Denton Lounge steps if he wanted to enter.

Rich Spicer, of Roundstone Drive, East Preston, asked the security guard on the the Denton Lounge door if there was disabled access for his friend, Dom Pardey, to which the doorman responded, ‘no mate, not unless you want to carry them up these steps’.

Rich said: “It makes you sick. At the time we kept it away from him as he was there to enjoy himself. I’ve spoke with him since and he is quite shocked it happened.

“You don’t realise until you actually walk around with someone who’s disabled how hard it is. I mean it’s awful, it just needs awareness raising.

“It’s a disgusting attitude and they should feel ashamed.”

Rich and his wife, Louise, had invited their friends, Marc French, and Dom, to visit them for Birdman and were ‘excited’ to have VIP tickets to access the pier.

Rear access to the Denton Lounge from the pier was fenced off, as was the disabled access from the front, to prevent a crowding issue from occuring on the verandah.

Disabled people who required access to the lounge should have been told to go through the pavillion theatre entrance, however that did not happen in this instance.